N.D. Cent. Code § 49-03-01.1
No electric public utility henceforth shall begin in the construction or operation of a public utility plant or system or extension thereof without first obtaining from the commission a certificate that public convenience and necessity require or will require such construction and operation, nor shall such public utility henceforth extend its electric transmission or distribution lines beyond or outside of the corporate limits of any municipality, nor shall it serve any customer where the place to be served is not located within the corporate limits of a municipality, unless and until, after application, such electric public utility has obtained an order from the commission authorizing such extension and service and a certificate that public convenience and necessity require that permission be given to extend such lines and to serve such customer.
N.D.C.C. § 49-03-01.1